Samsung names its flexible display technology as the Youm, products coming out in 2012

There’s a new term that you may want to add to your geek speak vocab, for Samsung has finally decided on a name for its next-gen flexible displays. The flexible display technology, which the Korean tech giant has been showing off in prototype forms since last year, will be formally known as Youm.

ADVERTISEMENT

What makes these flexible displays so unique? Unlike your run-of-the-mill LCD screen, Youm displays will be not only thinner and lighter, but also virtually unbreakable. It goes without saying that these are three traits we wouldn’t mind seeing in future phones and other mobile devices.

The four layers of the Youm display are the polarizer, encap (film), organic layer, and TFT (film). By removing glass from the equation and replacing it with a plastic substrate, it’s possible to create bendable and flexible screens.

With the branding of Samsung’s new flexible displays completed — curiously, Samsung has also filed for other trademark names, such as FAMOLED, WAMOLED, PAMOLED, and TAMOLED — we are inching closer to seeing this marvel of display technology in real products. Mass production of the Youm OLED displays will start soon, with the commercial launch of products utilizing the technology expected by the end of the year.

We’d love to see a full-blown implementation of the Youm flexible display, but it’s better we keep expectations low for this year. You know, something along the lines of a device with a curved display, instead of a wearable Android wristband. When talking about mobile devices, remember that the screen is only one aspect. It may take some time for the technology behind other parts, such as the battery, processor, or even casing, to catch up.